Naval question from a dumb landrat

[Michi]

Can anybody tell me when you call a Skipper CAPTAIN? Does it depend on the size of the vessel or number of crew members?
Did that change from past to present days?

Thanks in advance!

[Jemima Fawr]

Can anybody tell me when you call a Skipper CAPTAIN? Does it depend on the size of the vessel or number of crew members?
Did that change from past to present days?

Thanks in advance!

The Captain of a vessel (or aircraft) is always the Captain, regardless of military rank.

However, the naval rank of Captain normally only equates to Captain of a vessel when it's a big 'un, such as a carrier.  The Captains of most vessels (such as Frigates, destroyers & submarines) in the current Royal Navy are Commanders. 

Most officers with the rank of Captain are therefore staff officers and commanding officers of land bases.

[Michi]

Thank you for that very clear answer!
How is it with civilian vessels? And what is a Skipper then? Equal to Captain, regardless of rank?
What is with boats? Fish trawlers, ferries …?

[CapnJim]

As I understand it, anyone commanding a boat/ship is a Captain, regardless of rank, as Mr. Fawr indicated.  "Skipper" is just a colloquial term for the captain of a vessel, used by those under the command of said captain.

As such, "Captain" means 2 things in naval terms - the position of commander of a vessel, regardless of size, and the naval rank (at least in the US) between Commander and Rear Admiral.  The Rank Insignia of a US Navy Captain is a silver eagle, and is equivalent to the rank of Colonel in the Army, Air Force, and Marines. 

Also, in the US Marine Corps, some Marines refer to their unit commander as "Skipper' as well, though that is not universal...

[carlos marighela]

I suspect the civilian usage of Captain depends on the company operating the vessel and it's size. In a formal, legal sense the commander of a vessel is deemed to be the Captain. Whether the dozen or so crew on the average container vessel, call him Captain, Skipper or Eric would be up to the bloke in charge.

Bit like the navy, smaller the boat the more informal the relationship.

Captain is also the appropriate term of address if your name is Tenille.

[Jemima Fawr]

I suspect the civilian usage of Captain depends on the company operating the vessel and it's size. In a formal, legal sense the commander of a vessel is deemed to be the Captain. Whether the dozen or so crew on the average container vessel, call him Captain, Skipper or Eric would be up to the bloke in charge.

Bit like the navy, smaller the boat the more informal the relationship.

Captain is also the appropriate term of address if your name is Tenille.

I said "What?"

[Jemima Fawr]

Oh and then you have Captains of Royal Marines, who onboard ship were traditionally known as 'Major', to stop the inevitable confusion.  I've no idea if they still do this.

[carlos marighela]

I said "What?"

Do that to me one more time, once is never enough..... 

[Michi]

Thanks a lot for your answers mates!

[Hammers]

Are we talking about modern navy and merchant navy?

[Hammers]

To complicate thingsfurther a Master Mariner is the highest qualification in the merchant navy, but they are called captains.

[Michi]

Are we talking about modern navy and merchant navy?

Actually I wondered why the Captain of a sight seeing (whale watching cruise for tourists) in Scotland introduced herself as the Skipper. Then the old brain started to set the rusty machinery in my head in motion…

[Hammers]

Actually I wondered why the Captain of a sight seeing (whale watching cruise for tourists) in Scotland introduced herself as the Skipper. Then the old brain started to set the rusty machinery in my head in motion…

Well, let me tell you, if I had when I was in the Swedish Navy addressed my ship's commander with "Skipper" I would have been thrown overboard. Rank or role was the proper thing.

[Michi]

Well, let me tell you, if I had when I was in the Swedish Navy addressed my ship's commander with "Skipper" I would have been thrown overboard. Rank or role was the proper thing.

Perfectly understood! 

Army Captains won‘t suffer that sort of confusion… 

[Jemima Fawr]

Perfectly understood! 

Army Captains won‘t suffer that sort of confusion… 

Unless the Captain of a Wildcat or Apache is a Corporal...